Shell shot wad

Abstract

An ammunition cartridge for use with a firearm, such as a shotgun or rifle, and which includes a shot shell wad having a cylindrical housing which has a forward or outer shot receiving chamber separated from the at least one innermost shot receiving chamber by a partition which is preferably integrally formed with the housing and wherein the projectiles or shot receiving chambers include a plurality of open conically shaped chamber portions that are in open communication with one another at an apex and base of each adjoining projectile or shot receiving chamber so that, upon firing of the cartridge, the projectiles or shot are directed centrally and forwardly relative to a centerline of the housing as the projectiles or shot separate from the innermost camber and exit an open end of the outer chamber.

1 . A shot shell wad for use with an ammunition cartridge including a hull and a charge chamber, the shot shell wad comprising a generally cylindrical housing of a size to be seated within the cartridge hull with an inner end thereof adjacent the charge chamber of the cartridge, the hull having a cylindrical outer wall and a shot discharge end, an innermost shot receiving chamber formed within the housing and having an innermost base wall from which extend outer extending and inwardly tapering conical side walls, an opening at an apex of the conical side walls communicating with an outer shot receiving chamber, the outer shot receiving chamber having an outermost base wall with the opening being generally centrally therein, the outer chamber having a generally cylindrical side wall extending from the outermost base wall thereof to the shot discharge end of the housing. 
     
     
         2 . The shot shell wad of  claim 1  including a plurality of lines of weakness formed in the outer wall of the housing and wherein the lines of weakness are generally equally spaced relative to one another about a circumference of the outer wall of the housing. 
     
     
         3 . The shot shell wad of  claim 1  including at least one intermediate shot receiving chamber formed between the innermost shot receiving chamber and the outer shot receiving chamber, each intermediate shot receiving chamber having an intermediate base wall from which extend outer extending and inwardly tapering conical side walls, an opening at an apex of the conical side wall of the each intermediate shot receiving chamber that directly communicates with the outer chamber through the outermost base wall of the outer chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The shot shell wad of  claim 3  including a plurality of lines of weakness formed in the outer wall of the housing and wherein the lines of weakness are generally equally spaced relative to one another about a circumference of the outer wall of the body. 
     
     
         5 . An ammunition cartridge for shooting shot pellets comprising a casing and a charge chamber, a shot shell wad including a generally cylindrical housing of a size to be seated within the cartridge casing with an inner end thereof adjacent the charge chamber of the cartridge, the housing having a cylindrical outer wall and a shot discharge end, at least one innermost shot receiving chamber formed within the housing and having a concavely arcuate base wall from which extend outer extending and inwardly tapering conical side walls, an opening at an apex of the conical side walls communicating with an outer shot receiving chamber, the outer shot receiving chamber having an outermost concavely arcuate base wall with the opening being generally centrally therein, the outer chamber having a generally cylindrical side wall extending from the outermost base wall thereof to the shot discharge end of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 5  including a plurality of lines of weakness formed in the outer wall of the body and wherein the lines of weakness are generally equally spaced relative to one another about a circumference of the outer wall of the housing of the shot shell wad. 
     
     
         7 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 5  including an intermediate shot receiving chamber formed between the at least one innermost shot receiving chamber and the outer shot receiving chamber of the shot shell wad, the intermediate shot receiving chamber having an intermediate concavely arcuate base wall from which extend outer extending and inwardly tapering conical side walls, another opening at an apex of the conical side wall of the intermediate shot receiving chamber that directly communicates with the outer chamber through the outermost base wall of the outer shot receiving chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The ammunition cartridge of  claim 7  including a plurality of lines of weakness formed in the outer wall of the housing of the shot shell wad and wherein the lines of weakness are generally equally spaced relative to one another about a circumference of the outer wall of the housing.